🙂A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $2,947 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Lisbon vs $4,110 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,411 per month in Lisbon vs $5,272 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.
🙂Lisbon is about 25% cheaper than Clifton, NJ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Clifton, NJ sit above the global median – Lisbon by 65%, Clifton, NJ by 120%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$20.12$20.12
-20.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$101$101
-35.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$11.89$11.89
-11.61%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$6.08$6.08
-52.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.36$2.36
-5.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.60$1.60
-6.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
$6.86$6.86
-49.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$6.80$6.80
-42.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.30$1.30
-12.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$4.34$4.34
-59.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$5.77$5.77
-69.50%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$6.47$6.47
-50.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$13.00$13.00
3.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$10.25$10.25
-22.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$19.64$19.64
-19.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$5.59$5.59
-58.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$2.51$2.51
-32.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$4.34$4.34
-53.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$4.93$4.93
-50.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$3.03$3.03
-39.27%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$2.62$2.62
-23.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$2.77$2.77
-30.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$2.58$2.58
-69.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
$17.26$17.26
-61.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.92
$15.14$15.14
-62.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$1.83$1.83
-25.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$3.81$3.81
-22.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$2.69$2.69
-11.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$2.92$2.92
46.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$2.22$2.22
-63.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
$42.68$42.68
-57.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$0.95$0.95
116.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$31.9K$31.9K
7.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$25.8K$25.8K
52.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$211$211
-30.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
$53.3$53.3
-61.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
$62.9$62.9
-37.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
$20.60$20.60
132.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
$20.26$20.26
-54.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
$1,726$1,726
-64.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$16.0K$16.0K
0.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
$50.6$50.6
106.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
$20.09$20.09
109.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
$91.1$91.1
3.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$172$172
-30.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
$1,717$1,717
-5.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
$1,679$1,679
-25.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
$2,656$2,656
14.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
$2,183$2,183
-7.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Clifton, NJ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
$4,242$4,242
-62.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.44
-40.84%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Clifton, NJ: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,717 in Clifton, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 165% higher in Clifton, NJ, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Lisbon versus $101 in Clifton, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $443 – making Lisbon the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Lisbon vs Clifton, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and Clifton, NJ compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon, $2,947 in Clifton, NJ – roughly 33% apart. Clifton, NJ costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Clifton, NJ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $4,420 in Clifton, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Clifton, NJ?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lisbon, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Clifton, NJ?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,210 in Lisbon and $2,947 in Clifton, NJ. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Clifton, NJ?
Kindergarten costs $614 per month in Lisbon and $1,726 in Clifton, NJ. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,210 in Lisbon and $2,947 in Clifton, NJ. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Clifton, NJ?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,210 in Lisbon to $2,947 in Clifton, NJ. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Clifton, NJ safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Lisbon and Clifton, NJ?
If budget matters most, go with Lisbon. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Clifton, NJ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.